The White House announces that American educator Marc Fogel has been released from Russian custody.

An American teacher named Marc Fogel, who was wrongly held in Russia, has been released. This release is seen as a positive step that could help efforts to bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine, according to the White House.

Steve Witkoff, a special representative for President Donald Trump, accompanied Fogel as they departed Russian territory. Fogel, a history teacher from Pennsylvania, is anticipated to be back with his family by the day’s end.

Fogel was taken into custody in August 2021 and had been sentenced to 14 years in prison. His family and advocates contended that he was in possession of medical marijuana as prescribed, and in December, President Joe Biden’s administration confirmed that his detention was unjust.

Mike Waltz, Trump’s national security adviser, said the U.S. and Russia “negotiated an exchange” to ensure Fogel’s release. He did not say what the U.S. side of the bargain entailed. Previous negotiations have occasionally involved reciprocal releases of Russians by the U.S. or its allies.

Waltz said the development was “a sign we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine.” Trump, a Republican, has promised to find a way to end the conflict.

Trump also has talked about having a good relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago. Last month, Trump said that his administration was having “very serious” conversations with Russia about the war.

Fogel’s relatives said they were “beyond grateful, relieved and overwhelmed” that he was coming home.

“This has been the darkest and most painful period of our lives, but today, we begin to heal,” they said. “For the first time in years, our family can look forward to the future with hope.”

There was no immediate comment from Moscow about Fogel’s release on Tuesday.

Other Americans also remain detained in Russia when they weren’t included in a massive prisoner swap last August that freed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.

Those include U.S.-Russian dual national Ksenia Khavana, who was convicted in August of treason and sentenced to 12 years in prison on charges stemming from a donation of about $52 to a charity aiding Ukraine. The Biden White House at the time called the conviction and sentencing “nothing less than vindictive cruelty.”